After reading The Forum story on E-85 ethanol fuel, and seeing my 2001 Dodge Caravan listed as compatible, I filled the van's tank twice, saving 50 cents a gallon - nearly 25 percent off the $2.06 price of regular gasoline.
I then dug out the owner's manual which informed me: "E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon than gasoline...You can expect your MPG and your driving range to decrease by about 30 percent compared to gasoline operation."
The manual also said that E-85 fuel is "unsuitable for use when ambient temperatures fall below 0 degrees." Furthermore, "above 90 degrees F, you may experience hard starting and rough idle following start up." And in bold print, "CAUTION, if Flexible Fuel engine oil is not used when using E-85, engine wear may be increased significantly. This may void your warranty."
So far my van seems to work fine with E-85 fuel. However, while increased ethanol use may be good for national energy security and agricultural economic development, unless the cost of E-85 is at least 30 percent lower than gasoline, real dollar fuel savings appear to be nonexistent.
Gerald B. Jacobs
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Moorhead
